91Èȱ¬

Victoria Derbyshire was today announced as the winner of the Nick Clarke Award for her interview with Peter Bacon about his experience of being accused of raping a woman claiming she was too drunk to agree to consensual sex, and of later being cleared of the charges.

Victoria's interview, broadcast on 91Èȱ¬ Radio 5 Live in April 2009, impressed the judges for its careful, calm and non-judgemental questioning on a complex and potentially emotive issue. The judges were unanimous in their selection.

Kevin Marsh, former Today programme Editor, who sat on the final judging panel, said: "Victoria's interviewing style was direct, precise and courteous and did not avoid the awkward and at times personal questions.

"At no time did she seek to steer the listeners' emotions or opinions about this difficult case while at the same time making crisp and well measured interventions to challenge the interviewee's assertions.

"The interview was well paced and structured and left one at the end remembering it for the answers Victoria had drawn from her interviewee rather than for an overbearing performance by the interviewer."

On receiving the award, Victoria said: "Nick Clarke was a brilliantly skilful interviewer and I am truly honoured to receive this award in his memory."

The Nick Clarke award was created in honour of the hugely popular former presenter of 91Èȱ¬ Radio 4's The World At One, who died in November 2006, to celebrate and recognise the best broadcast interview of the year.

Last year presenter Carrie Gracie won the award for her 91Èȱ¬ World Service interview with Alan Johnston about his experience as a hostage in Gaza.

Mark Damazer, Controller, Radio 4, said: "I am delighted that we attracted so many quality entries – many from outside the 91Èȱ¬ – and add my many congratulations to Victoria Derbyshire and her team.

"This award recognises that there are many different ways to elicit a truth – and Victoria's interview is a fine example of the art."

The other interviews shortlisted for this year's award were:

Tom Bradby, News at Ten, ITV – interview with John Bercow MP on his first day in the office as the Speaker of the House;

Nicky Campbell, Radio 5 Live, 91Èȱ¬ – commentary at the Beijing Olympics about the challenges of trying to interview boxer James Dengale as he has just heard news of having secured a place in the middleweight final;

Fergal Keane, Taking A Stand, Radio 4, 91Èȱ¬ – interview with Lana Vandenberghe, former secretary at the Police Complaints Commission, who leaked documents to the press about the death of Jean Charles de Menezes;

Jenni Murray, Woman's Hour, Radio 4, 91Èȱ¬ – interview with Sharon Shoesmith, Director of Children's Services at Haringey Council, about the Baby P case;

Stephen Nolan, Radio 5 Live, 91Èȱ¬ – interview with Phil Woolas MP about the expenses scandal.

The final judging panel consisted of Kevin Marsh, Gillian Reynolds and Bob Satchwell who selected the winner.

The announcement was made at The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival today (Saturday) and Victoria will receive a dozen bottles of good claret – which Nick himself would have enjoyed.

Notes to Editors

The Nick Clarke Award was launched by Radio 4 Controller Mark Damazer at The Nick Clarke Debate at the Cheltenham Literature Festival in October 2007.

Panellists and judges of the Nick Clarke Award shortlist come from various media and broadcast organisations in the UK, including the 91Èȱ¬.

Interviews eligible for nomination were conducted between 31 July 2008 and 31 July 2009.

LZ